Lucas Ortiz

Lucas Ortiz
1954-2020

On January 1, 2020, Lucas Ortiz Sr., age 65, passed away at his residence in Clarksville, Tennessee. Son of Angelina and John (Juan) Ortiz, born in New York. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Wilma A. Ortiz. Three children from their beautiful union: Lucas R. Ortiz, Valerie S. Ortiz and Zulaimy S. Fenty.  Seven grandchildren: Jacob D. Ortiz, Malachi K. Cooper, Liyelle E. Cooper, Ariana J. Ortiz, Isabella S. Fenty, Ava S. Fenty and Nathaniel W. Ortiz and sisters Luisa Mercedes Glover and Juanita Ortiz.

He was full of life and seized every opportunity to stay fit.  He loved bike riding, paddleball, handball, jumping rope, staying active and had an overall commitment to good health.
Lucas took all of his endeavors seriously. An early graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School he embarked on a long career in retail and communications. With a constant hunger for knowledge on any given day you would find him with a good book in hand. As a public speaker he possessed a unique, distinctive voice, his cadence and style, and his inviting energy commanded his audiences. He had a passion for photography, creating and coloring pieces of art, listening to a wide variety of musical genres, collecting records and CDs, camping and making his signature homemade rumcake.

Lucas graciously shared his wisdom with others.  He had a gentle ear and kind shoulder, known for his sense of humor and well respected by his peers, friends and family.
Fluent in Spanish and proud of his heritage, he was a proud Puerto Rican.  He remained true to his culture and loved “our food”.  He carried salsa in his soul and graciously executed it on a dance floor.

A family man in all his right. He remained in communication with those dear to him, near and far.  Standing at 6‘3, his presence was short of magnanimous.  His bright smile and gregarious laugh would infect any room. He was a gentleman and a scholar.

Lucas will be missed by all who knew him.

Celebration of life took place on:
Saturday, January 11, 2020
2pm to 4pm
Ajax Turner Senior Center
953 Clarks Street
Clarksville, TN 37040

Tennessee Cremation Care is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Ortiz's care. Please visit his tribute wall to leave an online condolence for the family.